Date sent:        Tue, 14 May 1996 21:58:16 -0700

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The issue of the decriminalisation of heroin of Victoria began when there became an apparent
increase of the use of heroin in Victoria suburbs.  During early December, 1995, the public
had heard that heroin was being used in a large scale by the some of the community, in
particular Asians, living in inner Melbourne suburbs like Footscray.  The media has given
both arguments in favour and against the decriminalisation of heroin.  It has given fair and
strong arguments to support both sides of the argument.  The first article, a letter to the
editor called 'Don't rush on drugs', gives strong arguments apposing decriminalisation.  The
second article is an editorial called 'A fresh look at drugs', gives an in depth look at the
issue of the decriminalisation of heroin.  The third article called 'Legal drugs also kill',
is against decriminalisation but also opposes other drugs.

The argument of  the decriminalisation of heroin is strongly shown in a letter to the editor
printed in the Herald-Sun on the 12th of March 1996 (Appendix 1), by Mr Warwick Murphy.  The
headline 'Don't rush on drugs' is quite large compared to the rest of the article which
makes it stand out.  The words 'Don't rush' make the reader think that decriminalisation is
something that is happening soon which scare the audience.  
   Murphy argues that promoting decriminalisation are academics and researchers, those most
   distant from people who will be affected by any decriminalisation.  Then Mr Murphy goes
   on arguing, "Those against it are parents, counsellors, rehabilitation staff and, most
   importantly, the former users, those who are involved directly with people doing drugs". 
   This raises questions to the audience about which group they should listen to.  The
   author uses logical evidence to convince the audience to open their eyes and start
   listing to those most affected by heroin. Murphy concludes his letter strongly by
   suggesting that "decriminalisation without first having tried these other options seems
   to be jumping too far too soon".  Murphy ends the letter acknowledging himself as the
   project officer for Drug-Arm, Victoria.  The author leaves the reader questioning this
   issue.

Article two, an editorial printed in The Age on the 4th of January 1996 (Appendix 2).  The
article supports the Premiers Drug Advisary Council by saying it "should be applauded for
its energetic and imaginative approach".  The author writes "the alarming truth is that
Victoria's present drug laws are not working", to try to scare the reader into thinking that
the present drug laws are not adequate enough.
   The article suggests that the council could look at aspects of the Dutch and British
   approaches, "The legalisation or semi-legalisation of addictive drugs might have a
   positive long-term effect by undermining the blackmarket, thereby reducing profit
   incentives and the motivation for criminal activity".   This relieves the reader and
   starts to get them thinking that the council is doing a good job.  The article uses very
   strong logical evidence in order to make the audience believe decriminalisation is a good
   idea.  The article suggests decriminalisation might sever the connection between
   addiction and infectious diseases.  This proves that this article approves the idea of
   decriminalisation or at least semi-legalisation of heroin.

Article three, a feature article printed in the Herald-Sun on the 25th of January 1996
(Appendix 3), by Dr Joe Santamaria.  Dr Santamaria starts off by scaring the audience by
writing "We should be concerned about the Premier's drug advisory council inquiry on illicit
drugs".  He goes on to quote the councils' persuasive terms like "harm minimisation",
"normalisation" and "unwinnable war" in order to put down the council.  Then the author uses
language like methadone and drug-related deaths to try to scare the audience.  Dr Santamaria
quotes Dr Alex Wodak's opinion which supports the decriminalisation , "heroin is dangerous
because it is prohibited rather than prohibited because it is dangerous", then Santamaria
makes sarcastic comments about it by saying the rest of the world is looking at more
restrictions on drugs.
   Santamaria uses statistics like out of 430 heroin deaths, 15% of these heroin was the
   only drug involved.  The statistics lead the audience into believing what he is writing. 
   Dr Santamaria then uses examples of heroin control in other countries to try to scare the
   reader.  He writes police "can no longer guarantee the safety of its citizens".  He also
   says countries with drug laws like Holland "attracts drug users".  Dr Santamaria ends by
   writing that decriminalisation is a very bad idea and uses the phrase, "Our aim should be
   for a drug-free society, not a free-drug society".  In the last few paragraphs the author
   expresses his opinion strongly in order to convince any doubtful readers that
   decriminalisation of heroin is a bad idea.  Throughout the article the author has used
   scare techniques which are designed to influence the reader in thinking that heroin is
   evil.  He has also added a photo into the article which shows someone injecting himself
   with heroin which is another attempt by the author to scare the reader.

All three articles have adopted different approaches to the issue of decriminalisation of
heroin.  It can be said that the first two articles have maintained a high level of
objectiveness.  The last article has arguments to both sides of the issue, but the author
still tends to object to the decriminalisation of heroin.  They still allow the audience to
critically analyse the contents of each article.  The authors' intentions can easily be
seen.  The three texts analysed are only a few examples of the many articles which have
appeared in the media in the last few months.  The issue of the decriminalisation of heroin
will remain a controversy and will be disputed in the media for a long time or until heroin
is decriminalised.

Name:Eng_12.txt
Uploader:Samir Robic
E-Mail:Samir@connexus.apana.org.au
Language:English
Subject:English
Title:Presentation of an issue
Grade:85%
Age:18
Country:Australia
Comments:Good Essay about the heroin issue.  Too long.
Where I got Evil House of Cheat Address: friend
Date:14/05/96or writes "the alarming truth is that Victoria's present drug laws are
not€
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activity".   This relieves the reader and starts to get them thinking that the council is
doing a good job.  Th